Lieutenant Colonel Ved Prakash Airy the champion of Basantar battle
   17-Dec-2018

 
 
Lieutenant Colonel Ved Prakash Airy was born on March 20th 1935. He was son of Mr Ganga Bishen Airy, a resident of Karnal district in Haryana. He joined NDA after his education in Govt. High School and Dyal Singh College, Karnal. On 03rd June 1956 he was commissioned into 3 Grenadiers.
 
 
During the 1971 war with Pakistan Lieutenant Colonel VP Airy was posted at the western front and was commanding a battalion of the Grenadiers. The battle of Basantar which lasted from December 4–16, 1971 was one of the vital battles fought as part of the Indo Pakistan war of 1971 in the western sector of India. Lieutenant Colonel VedPrakash Airy while commanding 3 Grenadiers in the Shakargarh Sector of the Western Front, led his Battalion with courage encouraging and inspiring his men. In the battle of the Basantar river, the battalion under his able leadership not only captured the enemy positions after a fierce fight but held on to them despite massive counter-attacks by the enemy.
 
 
With utter disregard to his personal safety, under heavy enemy shelling and small arms fire, he went from trench to trench leading his men. Due to his personal example and bold leadership, Battalion remained steadfast and resolute. He was awarded Mahavir Chakra for his courage, dedication to duty and exemplary leadership. Later, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General before retiring from the active service of army.